The world’s smallest magnetic data storage unit is made of just 12 atoms, squeezing an entire byte into just 96 atoms, a significant shrinkage in the world of information storage. It’s not a quantum computer, but it’s a computer storage unit at the quantum scale. By contrast, modern hard disk drives use about a million atoms to store a single bit, and a half billion atoms per byte.

< … Read More → "World’s smallest memory bit stores data using just 12 atoms"

Staying connected while flying is getting much easier these days, with Wi-Fi in airports and onboard, but not all airports and planes are equally tech-friendly. Check this infographic to find the best way to fly with all your gear.

Based on extensive research from PC World on the busiest airports, as well as other data from the New York Times, the graphic reveals which airports have fast upload and download speeds (go Charlotte!) and which airlines give you the … Read More → "The best tech-friendly airports and airlines"

The Clarion Writers’ Workshop is a sort of bootcamp for science fiction and fantasy writers. You write something like six stories in six weeks, critique your fellow students’ stories for several hours every day, and get a new instructor every week who combines lectures, workshops and one-on-one meetings. It’s all held on UC San Diego’s beautiful La Jolla campus.

The workshop has is open for applications, and this year’s instructors are Jeffrey Ford, Marjorie Liu, Ted Chiang, Walter Jon Williams, Holly Black and Cassandra Clare.
via Read More → "Clarion Workshop accepting applications from aspiring science fiction and fantasy writers"

The Lola-Drayson B12/69EV is a technology demonstrator that is aiming to break lap records for electric vehicles at tracks around the world.

Built around the current Lola LMP1 group B12 Le Mans chassis, the new vehicle uses a DRT electric drivetrain to generate 850Bhp, propelling it to 60pmh from standstill in 3.0 seconds. The weight of the car … Read More → "Lola-Drayson electric racing car unveiled"

Photography firm Kodak has run into hard times, with critics suggesting it has failed to effectively adapt to digital. But four decades ago Kodak was credited with building the first digital camera, an innovation that has changed the world.

The first was a box the size … Read More → "Five ways the digital camera changed us"

If you just peek into the huge International Consumer Electronics Show, you might think that it’s mostly a deafening showcase for tablets, thin TV screens, superthin laptops and Android phones.

But if you really take the time to look — if you walk all 15 miles of exhibit halls — you’ll discover that, in fact, you were right. C.E.S. really is primarily a deafening showcase for tablets, thin TV screens, superthin laptops and Android phones. via Read More → "Sampling the future of gadgetry"

… Read More → "Skipping stones! How do they work?"

From the press release:

Microchip Technology Inc., a leading provider of microcontroller, analog and Flash-IP solutions, and FIRST^® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) today announced the rules of the game for the 2012 FIRST Robotics Competition^® (FRC^®). Via NASA-TV … Read More → "FIRST® kicks off 2012 Robotics Competition, announces rules of the game"

Nooooooooooooooooooooooo.

The Comic Sans Project.  via Neatorama.